Sunset Rubdown - "Us Ones In Between"
**note: this is another StG video compressed for a video ipod, or just for you to watch. Our new server doesn't seem to like .mp4, so you might need to "save link as.."**
Whew. I finished this literally minutes ago. I'm not going to gush any more about how much of a powerful force in music Spencer Krug is. I know you're all sick to death of me saying it. This song is so much. So much gleaming and crash. It's been raining for four days straight in Montreal, and I've also been listening to this song for four days straight. It's that strong. [Buy this right now]
By the gravel-road intro, you're expecting some sort of "this rosie day has a thorn" kind of song, but not so, it's a skipping, dusty lark. Rosie is the coniferous Girl from Ipanema. Watch out. She'll getcha. Rejectcha.
[Why did this not go huge? It's a powerhouse album! Buy!]
Zoe Baker - "Speech for the President"
8-year-olds wrote speeches for the President. An impersonator recorded these speeches. What results is funny, really silly, but also unnerving, disarming. The repetition of "are you intimidated?" here is really striking. it's like a radiohead cd insert. Plus, admitting your nickname is Toilet is hilarious. [more]
Posted by Dan at April 27, 2006 6:31 AMWow, Dan. Really great job! You tell a whole story through the simple medium of credits. I didn't want her to die, but of course she did...it was the credits!
Posted by Gil at April 27, 2006 9:11 AMi feel so reassured by the childrens' attitudes
Posted by marc at April 27, 2006 10:22 AMThe Sunset Rubdown record is phenomenal, really. Us One In Between is definitely a highlight, ditto ...Little Lord and the epic title track (which is the one I chose the PopCast couple weeks ago). The lyrics on Us Ones slay me. My album of the year thus far.
Posted by Andrew Rose at April 27, 2006 10:49 AMi love this quote.
From Beirut's website:
"saidthegramophone likes us alot (sources say the whole internet goes there)".
count me amongst the 'whole internet' - i come everyday, and am rewarded with jewels like your video, dan. i am humbled by your individual talents, and as a triumvirate, you stand unmatched. congratulations.
ps - and thanks for providing a reson to use my new word of the day - you guys just keep on giving!
Posted by M at April 27, 2006 11:53 AMnever stop ranting about spencer krug
never
and please never stop making these videos. seriously, that was too, too good.
Posted by chris at April 27, 2006 1:47 PMDan - My mind is blown. That was brilliant.
Posted by Karin S. at April 27, 2006 2:43 PMThat "are you intimidated?" thing is really creepy, especially if an 8-year old put it in there.
Posted by Akio at April 27, 2006 9:38 PMwow dan, excellent video! i especially like the beginning with those waving colors and backwards cars.
Posted by Dylan at April 28, 2006 12:42 PMOh, I'm totally contacting the Bush speech woman to see if I can animate that faux speech for Bateman365!
Posted by Scott Bateman at April 28, 2006 1:20 PMLoved the video, Dan. Hope you don't mind that I linked this post up on my blog:
http://embiggenyourmind.blogspot.com/2006/04/ps.html
Posted by d-mac at April 28, 2006 4:55 PMThis was just tedious - what purpose was it supposed to serve? It wasn't amusing, gripping, lovely, sad - it didn't have any emotion whatsoever.
Posted by wyrd at April 28, 2006 5:24 PMdear wyrd,
my response to the content of your critique:
what is truly great about art, in any form, is its ability to transform depending on its viewer. a good piece of art, as i am sure other readers may agree, intertwines itself with the viewer - it reaches into your memories and experiences, your fantasies and unspoken secrets, and the viewer believes, 'the artist is really speaking to me and me alone. i understand this piece in a way no one else does.' therefore, each piece of art appears differently to each person, depending what life experience they bring.
What we can conclude then, is that a) this video really does lack 'amusement, loveliness or sadness', or b) the viewer does. and since, wyrd, you seem to be solitary in your opinion amongst many words of praise, we must conclude b. myself and many other readers connected meaningfully with what we watched - you are alone, or perhaps represent a small minority of those who turn down the artist's invitation to interpret his work with your own context, real or imagined. here, dan invites you down a sparsely wooded path, and as you follow along, the brush becomes more and more overgrown until you are standing in a forest of tall raspberry bushes, with gleaming little red fruits amongst the large green leaves, beckoning you to pick them. but if you have nothing to bring, nothing to add to this piece, you are left at the start of the path, unable to find the forest where everyone else has gone.
my response to your critique, in general:
as readers and listeners, we are so fortunate to have these three authors dedicate so much time and energy and brain cells to this space that we enjoy. it is an honour to share in their creative expressions on a daily basis.
of course, everyone is entitled to their critical opinion. but if you critique art, at least give it more time and thought than an overarching dismissal. as a consumer of someone's unpaid hours or days of hard work, sweat, and creative energy, you owe the artist that much at least.
sincerely,
a grateful fan
I cried immediately. Wyrd must be a republican.
I was completely caught off guard. I feel the loss as if it were my own.
Posted by A mom at April 30, 2006 2:43 PMI just need to mention how beautiful, how stunning, how absolutely wonderful this video is.
this blog never seizes to amaze me. don't you ever stop doing these things.
Posted by Thomas at May 4, 2006 5:12 PMThat video is so good. It fits the song so well!
The ending was just about as shocking as the ending in "a perfect day for bananafish", too!
Posted by Emma at May 4, 2006 5:34 PMHow stunning! A great way to showcase the music, too.
Love love love.
All right, how do I get my hands on this video?!?!?! It's not there anymore! Can someone e-mail it to me or something???? Thanks!
Posted by Kevtastic at June 1, 2006 6:33 PM
and it will begin playing. All songs are also available to download: just right-click the link and choose 'Save as...'
